A Day in the life of a beachcomber
Exploring the Isles of Scilly
There are few places I love exploring more than the Isles of Scilly. Just 28 miles off the Cornish coast, the islands are a beachcomber’s dream, with crystal-clear water, unspoilt beaches and treasures waiting to be discovered along the shoreline.
So, when the opportunity came for a day trip to St Mary’s, I had to book the ferry.
Crossing to the Isles of Scilly
The day began with an early morning crossing from Penzance aboard the Scillonian III. Sadly, 2026 is set to be the Scillonian’s final season after 49 years of carrying passengers between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, making this trip feel particularly special.
The Scillonian has a flat-bottomed hull, which makes it ideal for navigating the shallow waters around the islands. The downside? Once you reach the open sea, things can get a little lively!
A couple of RSPB members were on board on this crossing, helping passengers spot and identify seabirds and marine life along the way. And on this particular crossing, we were incredibly lucky. A large pod of dolphins appeared alongside the boat, with many seabirds soaring overhead. As if that wasn’t enough, they helped us spot a whale in the distance.
Beachcombing on St Mary’s
Once we arrived on St Mary’s, it was time to do what I’d really come for — explore the coastline and see what the tide
had left behind.
There’s something wonderfully addictive about beachcombing. You never quite know what you’re going to find, and every beach has its own treasures waiting to be discovered.
Its incredibly satisfying spotting a piece of sea glass amongst the pebbles. Each piece has been naturally tumbled by the sea for years, its edges gradually smoothed and its surface transformed into that beautiful frosted finish.
After a few hours of exploring and beachcombing, I couldn’t resist a swim at Porthcressa Beach before hopping back on the boat for the return journey. The turquoise water was the perfect way to cool off after walking the coastline in gorgeous summer weather.
Dolphins on the Journey Home
As if the day hadn’t already been special enough, we were treated to another dolphin encounter on the journey home.
A pod appeared alongside the Scillonian, surfing the bow waves and keeping pace with the boat. Then we spotted a baby dolphin swimming closely beside its mother.
Watching them leap through the waves as the sun began to set was the perfect end to an unforgettable day.
A boat trip across the Atlantic, beautiful beaches, a pocketful of sea glass, a swim in turquoise water, a whale and dolphins.
Not a bad day at the beachcombing office!
I can’t wait to see where the next beachcombing adventure takes me…
